Who gets the award for the longest album name ever? That would actually be the British band, Chumbawamba, but Fiona Apple put up a good fight.
Her second studio album, “When The Pawn..” was released on November 9, 1999, with the original title consisting of a heaping 90 words and 444 characters. The uncut title is, “When the pawn hits the conflict he thinks like a king What he knows throws the blows when he goes to the fight And he’ll win the whole thing ‘fore he enters the ring There’s no body to batter when your mind is your might So when you go solo, you hold your own hand And remember the depth is the greatest of heights And if you know where you stand, then you know where to land And if you fall it won’t matter, cuz you’ll know that you’re right.”
Woah girl.
The album is an alternative art rock record, wholly written by Apple herself and produced by Jon Brion. It consists of only 10 tracks, so it’s relatively short. The opening track, “On The Bound,” sets a raw, emotional tone through which Fiona shares her pattern of self-destruction and emotional dependency. Through introspective lyrics, Fiona conveys a sense of being stuck in a cycle of hurt, where she longs for someone who repeatedly harms her. She is very vulnerable in her lyrics, expressing her self-awareness of the self-image issues she continuously deals with.
The next song, “To Your Love,” opens with heavy drums and intricate keys. Apple’s signature tone is present as she continues to share her experience with self-loathing and the fear of being unworthy of love. The lyrics present a story of a protagonist who is simultaneously repelled by and attracted to someone, which could be caused by internal conflict over past experiences and self-image. How does one accept love from someone else when they don’t feel deserving of it?
“Limp” starts out quiet and simple but soon transforms into a loud track where Apple can express her anger. It is probably one of the most emotionally charged songs on the album. Apple does a very good job of pushing her feelings into the music and out to the listeners. The lyrics convey her frustration and eventual defiance against someone who constantly tears her down. It tells the story of being weakened by another person, with the title perfectly representing how that can make someone feel: limp.
The fourth track, “Love Ridden,” is definitely more on the melancholy side. It is a heartbreaking song about the realization of a relationship ending. Fiona shares her acceptance of loss while reflecting on the beauty of the love she felt, using her songwriting to turn personal pain into a poetic masterpiece.
Halfway through the album, we get to “Paper Bag,” which is one of my favorites. This song is perfect for the people who feel like too much of a burden to ever be wanted by someone. It explores themes of disillusionment when it comes to love, creating an idea of someone in your head and then having those daydreams crushed by reality. The song has a layer of self-awareness, and Apple can recognize the part she plays in this disappointment. Ultimately, she would rather deny herself love than risk experiencing her heartbreak.
“Mistake” lets the listeners know that Apple is aware of her bad mistakes but refuses to apologize for them. There’s a defiant tone throughout the song; she shows no regrets for her failures and instead desires to test her limits. This flows into “Fast As You Can,” the lead single, which presents experimental elements as well as jazz and rock. The lyrics suggest a cycle of attraction as well as destruction, where Fiona dares someone to stay despite the emotional chaos she brings with her.
The last song I want to talk about is the final track, “I Know,” which is my true favorite. While the rest of the songs on the record are turbulent, loud, and full of emotions, this track is quiet. It serves as a tender conclusion to the album, a song about unrequited love. Instead of anger, Apple expresses understanding, that she knows where things stand and does not ask for more. There is no desperation in her tone, just acceptance and the heartbreaking acknowledgment that the person she loves may never need her in the way she desires.
Fiona Apple is truly one of a kind. I really enjoyed this record and think it does an excellent job of expressing raw emotions and feelings that can be difficult to talk about. A lot of people can relate to the way Apple feels, which showcases the beautiful ability music has to help people feel less alone in this confusing world.
My Ranking:
1: I Know
2: Paper Bag
3: Mistake
4: Get Gone
5: Love Ridden
6: On The Bound
7: The Way Things Are
8: Fast As You Can
9: To Your Love
10: Limp
